Part 8 (1/2)

I pity thee so sore, no wrath nor pride Is in me.--Come, dismount! Bend to the stroke Fate lays on thee, and learn to feel thy yoke.

[_He lays his hand softly on_ Ca.s.sANDRA'S _shoulder_.

Ca.s.sANDRA (_moaning to herself_).

Otototoi ... Dreams. Dreams.

Apollo. O Apollo!

SECOND ELDER.

Why sob'st thou for Apollo? It is writ, He loves not grief nor lendeth ear to it.

Ca.s.sANDRA.

Otototoi ... Dreams. Dreams.

Apollo. O Apollo!

LEADER.

Still to that G.o.d she makes her sobbing cry Who hath no place where men are sad, or die.

Ca.s.sANDRA.

Apollo, Apollo! Light of the Ways of Men!

Mine enemy!

Hast lighted me to darkness yet again?

SECOND ELDER.

How? Will she prophesy about her own Sorrows? That power abides when all is gone!

Ca.s.sANDRA.

Apollo, Apollo! Light of all that is!

Mine enemy!

Where hast thou led me? ... Ha! What house is this?

LEADER.

The Atreidae's castle. If thou knowest not, I Am here to help thee, and help faithfully.

Ca.s.sANDRA (_whispering_).

Nay, nay. This is the house that G.o.d hateth.

There be many things that know its secret; sore And evil things; murders and strangling death.

'Tis here they slaughter men...A splas.h.i.+ng floor.

SECOND ELDER.

Keen-sensed the strange maid seemeth, like a hound For blood.--And what she seeks can sure be found!

Ca.s.sANDRA.